How to Write a Check and Fill It Out Step-by-Step

A personal check serves as a written instruction to a bank, authorizing a specific amount of money to be paid from one account to another individual or entity. This traditional payment method remains a relevant tool for various financial transactions, providing a tangible record of payment. Understanding how to accurately complete a check is important for proper processing and maintaining clear financial records.

Understanding Check Components

A standard personal check contains several pre-printed sections. In the upper left corner, your personal information, including your name and address, identifies the account holder. The check number, found in the upper right corner, helps track individual checks for record-keeping.

A date line is located near the top right, providing a space to record when the check is written. The “Pay to the order of” line is where the recipient’s name, known as the payee, is entered. To the right of the payee line, a small box with a dollar sign is designated for the numeric amount of the payment. Immediately below the payee line, a longer line is provided for writing out the payment amount in words.

Near the bottom of the check, a memo line offers an optional space to describe the check’s purpose. A signature line, usually in the bottom right corner, is where the account holder authorizes the payment. Along the very bottom of the check are three sets of numbers: the routing number, the account number, and the check number. The routing number identifies the financial institution, while the account number identifies your specific account.

Filling Out Your Check

Write the current date on the date line, located in the upper right-hand corner of the check. You can use either a numerical format or spell out the month, day, and year. On the line marked “Pay to the order of,” print the full name of the individual or organization receiving the payment. If paying cash, you can write “Cash” on this line, but be aware that this makes the check payable to anyone possessing it.

In the small box next to the dollar sign, write the numerical amount. Ensure the numbers are legible and fill the space to prevent any alteration. Include cents, even if it’s a whole dollar amount, and start the numbers close to the dollar sign to deter additions. On the line below, spell out the payment amount in words. For amounts including cents, write the cents as a fraction over 100.

Draw a line through any remaining blank space on the written amount line to prevent unauthorized additions. The memo line is optional but provides a reference for the transaction’s purpose, which can be useful for your records or the payee’s. Sign your name on the signature line, using the signature you have on file with your bank. Always use blue or black ink when filling out a check, as pencil marks can be easily erased and altered, increasing the risk of fraud.

Post-Completion Steps

After filling out the check, record the transaction in a check register or similar financial record-keeping system. This record should include the check number, date, payee, and the amount paid. Maintaining a check register helps track your spending, provides an account balance, and assists in reconciling your bank statements.

Regularly updating your check register helps identify discrepancies, prevent overdrafts, and spot potential fraudulent activity. If your check comes with a perforated stub, detach the completed check from the stub, which often serves as a personal record. The check is then ready for delivery to the payee.